Strait talk! JUST YOU & ME.: July 2013

Sunday, 21 July 2013

Life Style Intervention Solutions

LifeStyleInterventionSolutions©

Prologue:

LifeStyleInterventions is an emerging thought in LifeCoaching; I strongly feel I am the first person to use the phrase as a LifeCoaching strategy. It is also an emerging field of study because it makes use of Psychotherapeutic or Psychoanalytic methods and in-depth knowledge of Human Psychology though you may not need be a professional to practice its tenets.

All that’s needed to be LifeStyleInterventionSolutionsProvider© is a genuine interest in the individual enough to help them analyse their thought processes and preferences making them better choosers of available options and creating more options if necessary (what I call “thinking-out-of-the-box!”- TOTB).

Your tool-kits.

Your tool-kit is

· A sound moral philosophy.
· A genuine interest in people (human) development.
· A good working knowledge of human psychology, psychoanalysis and psychotherapy.
· A broad experience base of work in an industrial, corporate or occupational health related fields.

You need observe the following rules too

· Do not share another’s personal challenges with a third party without consent. This amounts to a breach of trust. Confidentiality is of utmost importance when sharing or discussing personal issues. Be a rock on which others can depend.
· Take some time out to PRAY©

Praying is what I call, “affirming my positive beliefs about my self (sometimes others, when I pray about them) to my Higher Self. Doing this re-affirms me, my vision, purpose and goals; boosts my self confidence (SC) and re-juvenates my entire being. This was practiced by great leaders in human history; Jesus the Christ, Lord Gauthana the Buddah, Krishna and the Prophet Mohammed (PBOH) etc. with positive results.

Doing this in the language your soul speaks (the language your thinking processes speaks) can bring outstanding results.

*people business can be and is very demanding, drains your health and wealth; so, take time-out to refill* in my younger days I had spent time at a rehab, a total of about 9-months in the past fourteen years self-structuring my thought processes (through studying religious books) and getting the much needed rest and exercise.

· Do not force yourself on people.

Being a LifeStyleInterventionSolutions Provider© - what you stand to gain

You garner goodwill…

It’s always been my philosophy that,

“what keeps us going in life is nothing more than the goodwill we are able to garner from other humans; in essence, we thrive on one another’s goodwill”.

In other words, how far you and I go in life and how well we go through our multifarious challenges in life is a function of the amount of the goodwill fuel in our tanks or reserves… in fact, goodwill can raise the dead, heal the sick and deliver the oppressed!

I must tell you, I depend on you; your goodwill for the next breath. A religious text reads, “When the righteous prospers; the city rejoices, when the wicked perish; there are shouts of joy”.

Your client base…

Your first clients are most likely to be drawn from those within your immediate sphere of influence; friend, family, colleagues and acquaintances.

“Whatever it is you cannot do for free; you cannot do to make money”.

The fact is, you develop expertise and build a reputation through practice and mostly by volunteering to add value;

"what then; if: somebody, somewhere, one day; decides to put a monetary value on your services or skills?"

These is true for J.C Maxwell, an outstanding facilitator and faculty on Leadership & Leadership development issues; and may end up true for you too!, it is working for me!

Coming next is: The scope of LifeStyleInterventionSolutions©

CIAO!

Wednesday, 17 July 2013

A GENERATION TO EXTINCTION

Reverend Olu-Davies in …

… A generation to ~~X’tinction~~…

Proverbs 13 Vs 22a

A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: … stopp!

Praise God!

The above quoted scripture provoked these thought of mine: “Our fathers left us an inheritance, our parents devoured it without a thought; no! Not about our off springs”. What a shame!

Looking back two generations backwards; with my own family as a reference, reminds me of the so called good old days, when the “men” of this day (now so called Senior Citizens) were children and toddlers and our grandparents were in-fact the “fathers” then. The days of the cocoa pyramids of the South-West states of Nigeria, the groundnut pyramids of the Northern states and the oil of the East-Midwest axis states – the Niger Delta.

Our parents have devoured the prosperity of yesteryears and have given us in return unemployment, poverty, hunger, institutionalized corruption, nepotism and a decayed educational system and social infrastructure. What a shame!

For the problems of this country, I look at my father only with disdain …

“Look at what your generation has done to the educational sector of this country after you partook of the free education scheme of those days”.

“Look at what your generation has done to labor and productivity when you had a job waiting for you at the completion of your education”.

“See how you and your colleagues had plundered the economy of this nation after you enjoyed the plenty of those days”.

If you ask me, the situation is not different in the church place- itself a reflection of the society- the wealth of spiritual prosperity – posterity left behind by the fathers, the Azusa street revival, the revival of the 1930’s in Nigeria respectively that introduced new streams of thought into Christianity the world over; is now corrupt! No thanks to our parents – the in-thing is now financial prosperity at the expense of Spiritual prosperity.

Guyzs! We’re drinking polluted waters!

The corruption is so deep-seated even within the families of the clergy (like the High Priest of the days of the Apostles!) not to talk of their congregants! Corruption! Corruption!! Corruption!!! Everywhere ... a sure signs of the times!

If you have not been infected with the cankerworm of corruption, I bless God on your behalf; I think we better start a process of re-building the nations! Starting right from our homes!

Teach your children well and tell them the truth … we can by this lay a solid foundation for generations yet unborn.

I see a new Africa, a new Nigeria, a new world in the hands of God; where a glorious future awaits our children.

AMEN!

@Rev. Richie ’Bidemi Olu-Davies. Nigeria.

Household of David online Church@facebook.com/bidemi olu-davies.

UNDERSTANDING SPIRITUAL PERFECTION

UNDERSTANDING (SPIRITUAL) PERFECTION – Ephesians 4:11-16.

And he gave some, apostle; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Till we all come in the unity of faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him (Christ) in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Emphasis mine.)

Glory to God… amen!

The main business of the Christian walk on earth is not to make heaven but to grow into the Image of Christ… unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. Papa God meant us to be little Christs – to be representatives of Christ on the earth… walking in the same dimension of faith, wisdom, love, power, authority and anointing just like the Lord Jesus when he was this side of eternity… (See Revelations 21).

The disciple is not above his master: but everyone that is perfect shall be as his master. (Luke 6:40). Emphasis mine.

The whole essence of the Christian life is to be like Christ in ALL THINGS, in ALL WAYS and ALL DIMENSIONS OF LIFE and LIVING.

Glory to God!

… somebody once remarked, “All of life on earth is a dressing room for eternity”… how resoundingly true! Even in the light of the scriptures. God (Christ) is coming for a perfect church at His second coming! The only reason I believe, He’s not here yet is that the church (Greek word: Ecclesia) is not made perfect yet!

Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God;

Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present everyman perfect in Christ Jesus: Colossians 1:24-28. Emphasis mine

(Note the word Perfect.)

Note that it is the perfect Church- the perfect Christian(s) – (Greek word: Ecclesia) that will rise to meet the Lord Christ at His coming.

1John 3:2 says:

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him (in his likeness); for we shall see him as he is.

And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he (Christ) is pure. (Emphasis mine.)

The church the Lord is coming for must have taken on his image (Christ’s) at his coming.

Perfection is the Lord’s will for the church; it is possible and must be the desire of every born-again child (son or daughter) of God.

The function of the ministry gifts (the fivefold offices) is for the perfection of the church Ecclesia, for the work of the ministry and the edification of the church Ecclesia; till we (the church Ecclesia) come (develop into… grow into…) in faith and knowledge… a perfect man, and measuring up to the stature of the fullness Christ… i.e. measuring up to Christ in faith and knowledge… having such faith and knowledge as Christ had or has… that we be no more children tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. Glory to God! Amen… But speaking the truth in LOVE… grow up to him in all things. (Paraphrased.)

THE PLACE OF …LOVE

1Corinthians 13:8-12

The raw materials from which the ministry gifts were created are;

1. The Gift of prophecy

2. In the place of prayer- precisely praying in the spirit (tongues.)

3. The gift of Knowledge.

… All of which Brother Paul speaking by the Holy Spirit says faileth or are going to fail. 1Corinthians 13:8-12

Charity (LOVE) never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

But when that which is perfect is come (in us), then that which is in part shall be done away.

When I was a child (in other words: “imperfect”), I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man (in other words: “when I was made perfect”), I put away childish things.

For now we see through a glass darkly: but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. Emphasis mine.

The point is, the ministry gifts’ operations comes to an end with the perfection of the church Ecclesia and is replaced by the “gift” of LOVE or charity with which the body herein made perfect edifies herself.

Am I saying perfection is possible without love? No! Because without love none can see God! If we want to see the manifestation of God in our world (lives) and literally see God, we must have not only to walk in love but also to live in love… for love is of God and God is love. See 1John 4:7&8.

The ministry gifts works hand in hand with Love, grows together with love until it grows old at the perfection of the church to be replaced by love but then y’know love must have witnessed and partaken of all the works of the ministry gifts… literally. LOL!... just like a couple living all the way till one’s gat to go be with the Lord… the other continues with the job, that’s all! You get the picture? Yeah!

At perfection, the Spirit of Love (God) takes over the operations of the ministry gifts and we’d be literally enraptured in God’s love as we speak the truth in love.

1John 4:12-13

No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

Hereby we know that we dwell in him, and he in us because he hath given us of his Spirit (of Love). Compare Romans 5:5.

Colossians 3:14

And above all these, put on charity (Love), which is the bond of perfectness. Emphasis mine.

1Corinthians 8:1

Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

We grow in love day by day and then with exercise as we practice love, that’s why Brother Paul says, “Follow after charity (Love)”. 1Corinthians 14:1. It’s only those who follow after Love that’ll attain unto Love, in other words: it is those who have the earnest desire to walk in love that’ll be empowered and enabled to do so… faith works by love, so love works by faith. See Galatians 5:6. Therefore make daily a conscious effort to walk in love, desire spiritual gifts (read 1corinthians 12:4-11) and desire alongside a deep craving to prophesy, in other words, earnestly desire the gift of prophecy; for he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation and comfort… and he that prophesieth edifies the church (you and me). See 1corinthians 14:3&4b.

Hallaluya! This is a convenient place to stop for a while… this serves as an introduction to understanding what it is to be made perfect – PERFECTION. Next time I’m going to start teaching from the Epistle of Paul to the Galatians… en’ we’ll see how far God’s Hallowed Spirit is going to take us.

I pray the Lord by His Precious Holy Spirit create in you a burning desire to walk with God unto all pleasing, open your understanding to understand the mystery of the cross and cause you to prosper in all dimensions of life and living as He did while here on earth as He cause you to flourish in His Love. Amen.

SHALOM, God’s peace!

@Rev. Richie ’Bidemi Olu-Davies. Nigeria.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE GALATIANS

AN OVERVIEW OF THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE GALATIANS.

The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians, written by Apostle Paul probably between 55 and 60 AD and addressed to the churches in Galatia; a district in Asia minor, the exact boundaries of which are uncertain.

THEMES

The main themes are

1. A defence of the Doctrine of justification by faith.

2. Warnings against reversion to Judaism.

3. A vindication of Paul’s Apostleship.

It has been called the MAGNA CHARTA of the Church by some writers as the main argument is in favour of Christian liberty in opposition to the teachings of Judaizers.

KEY TEXT.

Galatians 5:1

Stand therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

A word about Judaism and Judaizers…

Judaism is an erroneous teaching based on the observance of ceremonial laws as an essential part of the plan of salvation. Personally, I’ve witnessed these erroneous teachings around me in Nigeria, where we hear such things as ceremonial feet washing services, anointing services, burnt offering services, ceremonial bathing for deliverance(?) and feast services. (I’ve been in some of such services before out of curiosity!), but it’s the error of the present day church also and a sign of the times we are in.

There’s no better time than now to sound this note of warning…”be not entangled again in the yoke of bondage!”

Next week, we’re going to begin a “line upon line, precept upon precept” study and exposition of Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians. I pray …the Lord’ll open our eyes to behold wondrous things out of His Law and …that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of glory may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him; the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints… and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.

AMEN. (Ephesians 1:17-19).

@Rev. Richie ’Bidemi Olu-Davies. Nigeria.

WHO SENT YOU? ... A VINDICATION OF PAUL'S APOSTLESHIP

WHO SENT YOU? ... A VINDICATION OF PAUL’S APOSTLESHIP.

(References: Matthew 6:1-4, Mark 11: 27-33).

Galatians 1:1

Paul, an apostle (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead ;).

Every man called of God to do some assignment or the other in the body of Christ must have had an encounter with the Lord.

What I mean is: to be called an Apostle, Prophet, Pastor, Teacher or Evangelist; there must have been a “meeting” – an instantaneous crisis experience – with God that’s real in their experiences to their consciousness. (Read Acts 8:1-22 for an account of Paul’s encounter with God).

For some, the experience might be a “pleasant” one, for some “unpleasant”, for some “in-between”… kinda bittersweet … which seals their instructions and sets the bounds of their calling in the body of Christ.

Saul was a persecutor of the early church; who pursued his mission with absolute passion: but a turning point came the day he met the Lord on the way to Damascus … and the experience transformed him into Paul the Apostle. (Apostle: meaning the sent one).

The applicability of the lesson here is for no other one but the X-generation of ministers (Apostle, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers and Evangelists); “Who sent you?” is the number one question the world asks you and me; and then “By what power doest thou these things?” or “By whose authority?” Jesus was asked, so was Paul, ditto you and me. Paul was revalidating himself in the Most high and Holy when the question reared its head in his sub-conscious (?). Sir and Ma, brothers and sisters! The world would ask me and you too! Who sent you?

Someone asked me sometimes in December last year (2012), “You call yourself “Reverend”, where were you ordained? Or who ordained you? To which I replied in all humility (though with a tinge of humour , “I am ordained by God! (Though my public ministry began at a service to commission myself and some other brethren to leadership at a campus fellowship in the university way back 2005 December- 20^th precisely), so, you may be asked too. But always have this answer ready, Galatians 1:1, Paul (put your name in place of Paul’s), an apostle –the sent one- (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised Him (Christ) from the dead. AMEN!

The scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees of Jesus’ day were commissioned and ordained by the “High Priests” of those days, so it is today- in our days- in a figure. The scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees of our days were chosen, called, commissioned and ordained by their high priests and they ask us, “who, whence, and why are you ordained? … NOW YOU HAVE THE RIGHT ANSWER!

YOUR HIGH CALLING

Matthew 26:26

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it and brake it and gave it…

Jesus (the bread of Life) was taken; blessed and given by Papa God to the blessing generations after generations of men. So likewise, in a figure, to be used of God in your generation, to be sent of God to your generation- Papa God takes you, blesses you and gives you to the blessing of your generation.

AMEN.

Shalom! God’s Peace.

@Rev. Richie ’Bidemi Olu-Davies. Nigeria.

GRACE AND PEACE

GRACE AND PEACE… (Reference Galatians 1:3).

This is a continuation of our study of the Epistle of Paul to the Galatians; we’ll begin today’s study from chapter 1 verse 2.

Gal. 1:2-3

And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches in Galatia:

Grace be to you and peace from God our father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

Verse 2 points to the fact that Paul joined the brethren with him as witnesses to his message or letter to the Galatian church; but this is a message for another day God willing. I’d like to place my emphasis on the third verse which reads, “Grace be to you and peace from God our father… and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Grace, acronymed God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense by some local preachers I’ve listened to; but understood to mean God’s favour bestowed on the undeserving individual… reminds me of the popular hymn; AMAZING GRACE; which lines I’d love to repeat underneath;

1. Amazing grace! How sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found,

Was blind, but now I see.

2. ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

And grace my fears relieved;

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed!

3. Thro’ many dangers, toils, and snares,

I have already come;

‘Tis grace hath bro’t me safe thus far,

And grace will lead me home.

4. When we’ve been there ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the sun,

We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise

Than when we first begun.

AMEN.

GRACE DEFINED

I define grace as an act of divine condescension that makes an individual a partaker of God’s blessing- salvation, health and divine providence, anointing (God’s Spirit indwelling) and glory- that qualifies us to be conformed to God’s image and makes all things work together for our good. (See Romans 8:28-30).

These brings alongside a feeling of quiet contentment and understanding in the all sufficiency of the Most high (termed PEACE) as EL SHADDAI (God the provider) and JEHOVAH SHALOM (God our peace), via belief in Christ’s words and a cooperation with the workings and leading of God’s Holy Spirit in the individual’s life.

It makes the true believer say with all assurance of conviction, “I belong to the Lord God Almighty (El Elohim- the strong creator), He does His pleasure with and through me, for in Him I live, move and have my being”. (See Acts 17:28, Psalms 104:33 & 146:2).

The psalmist introduced a dimension to God’s worship when he said in Ps 146:2 … while I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.

Would it have made any difference if I had been created a sheep, a shepherd dog, a chicken or a roach? ... Anyhow…! I will praise God while I have my (any) being. Psalms 48:14 - For this God is our God (Jehovah Eloheenu) and He shall be our guide even until death. Amen.

Till next time… I say… SHALOM, GOD’S PEACE!

@Rev. Richie ’Bidemi Olu-Davies. Nigeria.

LOVE, LOVE AND MARRIAGE, LOVE AND PURPOSE

Rev. Richie,

@ Household of David Online Church.

Presenting,

LOVE, LOVE AND MARRIAGE, LOVE AND PURPOSE.

Love theorists have defined love as situated in any of Eros, Philio and Agape.

Eros: sexual love

Philio: Fraternal love

Agape: Divine Love.

But I’d love to describe the above as elements of love because Love in its purest form consists of all the elements (eros, philio and agape) depending on the object of affection.

For example, Love for a partner of the opposite sex- my intended maybe?; Eros takes the lead,- we must be able to relate sexually (only within the confines of marriage though!), she may be my closest pal and confidant- Philio; and we share a common faith and trust in the Divine- Agape. Sounds like a three fold cord!

Another example, the Love of God or Divine Love- Agape; functions in dual dimensions, God’s Love for you and me, and then our love towards Papa God. I’d like to quote from the gospel according to Saint John 3:16 and first John 4:19.

“For God so Loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”

“We love Him; because He first Loved us.”

“Agape Love” gave Mother Mary the miracle child; the Lord Christ… (See Matthew 1:18-20) …I think that’s eros. “Phillio Love” called Father Abraham His friend. (See Genesis 18:17 and 2Chronicles 20:7).

1Corinthians 13:1-3

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity (agape+phillio+eros), I am become a sounding brass or tinkling cymbal.

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains and have not charity (agape+phillio+eros), I am nothing.

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity (agape+phillio+eros). It profiteth me nothing.

POINTS TO NOTE.

For the want of agape Love and phillio love: (the Love of God) and fraternal love (love for and among brethren or the brotherhood); some have forsaken the assembly of the brethren. (See Hebrews 10:25).
For the want of eros- sexual love; some forbade marriage or the union of the sexes. (See 1Timothy 4:1&3). Love is of God. 1John 4:7.
Charity (from the root word from which the words charisma, charismatic and charitable derived their meanings) is “the bond of perfectness”. See Colossians 3:14.

LOVE AND MARRIAGE.

Marriage is the oldest divine institution; ordained even before the church!

Genesis 2:18

And it is not good that man should be alone, I will make a help-meet for him.

Papa God said these after He had created man and put him in the garden “to dress it and to keep it”. This is man’s purpose in God’s divine preordainment… but then among all of God’s creatures, there was no help-meet meet for Adam to help him fulfil this assignment. So the Lord took a rib from a side of his, made Eve (the woman) and brought her to the man Adam… and Genesis 2:24;

“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife; and they shall be one flesh”. (See Ephesians 5:31).

It follows from the above that:

Ø God gave man a purpose- an assignment before He gave him an help-meet.

Ø Man needs a companion to fulfil God’s assignment hence the need of an help-meet.

Ø Papa God created or made woman for the man to help him fulfil his assignment.

1Corinthians 11:9

Neither was the man created for the woman but the woman for the man.

WHY MARRIAGE?

1Corinthians 11:11

Nevertheless neither is man without the woman, neither the woman without the man in the Lord.

Across cultures, people have divers purposes for getting married or desiring marriage. Some of these are:

The desire for economic security and financial gains. “I want a guy to take care of me” or “this girl is rich; let me marry her to take over her possessions”. WRONG!
The crave to escape parental control. “I want to leave home”. WRONG!
People marry to boost their social status and widen their social circle… as in so called celebrity or society weddings. WRONG!
Parents give their children in marriage to seal the bond of family friendship. WRONG!
People get married to foreign nationals to secure resident permits in these countries. WRONG!
An influential business owner might give a child in marriage to a brilliant staff; such executives become family and help manage the “family business”. WRONG!
People get married because they feel they ain’t getting younger. WRONG! You can marry at any age!
People might want to get married to have children or procreate. Sorry sir! WRONG! That’s putting the cart before the horse!

The only reason that’s worth the marriage is: you have discovered a purpose to justify your existence and you need an help-meet by your side in the fulfilment of that purpose.

This is a convenient place to stop.

Think upon what we’ve shared today and I believe the Lord will order your steps in destiny.

I almost came close to aborting God’s call on my life because of trying to make things happen in the area of marriage… I only awoke to reality after so many heartbreaks and heartaches, but thank God! They’re only growth pains.

I bless the Lord God almighty for His mercy bestowed upon my life! I’m blessed, so are you! AMEN.

SHALOM, GOD’S PEACE!

@household of david online church@facebook.com/olu-davies bidemi.

THE PERFECTION OF BEAUTY

Rev. Richie,

@ Household of David Online Church.

Preachin’…

THE PERFECTION OF BEAUTY.

Glory!

Praying in the Spirit a couple of days ago… an idea dropped into my heart as I asked myself, “could the (organism known in biology as) Amoeba have changed itself from its shapeless mass and assume a more symmetric or definite shape (like the Paramecium) if it had wanted?” To which I answered in the affirmative. YES! It could have, if it had desired such a change in form or image (or likeness) or better still if it had been aware of the existence of such a likeness and even more if the change is possible or attainable!

2 Corinthians 3:18 reads;

But we all, with an open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed (transformed) into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the spirit of the Lord. (Emphasis mine).

I have had occasions to describe people as pretty, beautiful, handsome or, just fine or ugly in the past years but have rediscovered the hidden truth expressed in the words “beauty is in the eyes of the beholder” because our perception of reality sometimes? If not all of the time, depends on what we place value on… our value system. Better expressed as “your outlook depends on what you are looking out from”. See Proverbs 23:7a;

For as he thinketh in his heart so he is: in other words as he thinks in his heart so he speaks. Compare Matthew 12:34 and Luke 6:45.

Watch your thoughts, so goes the saying, they become your actions. Hallaluyah!

YOUR IMAGE CAST.

When you cast a glance at yourself in the mirror; can you describe what you see? D’you fall in love with your reflection or resentment wells up in you? How d’you describe what you see… as beautiful or ugly or midway in-between? ... lol!

The point is, the more at home you feel with your image cast, the more of a positive self image you have of yourself. Quote me!

The moment you begin to perceive yourself as beautiful as a woman or handsome as a guy, your self confidence, poise and all other things about you begin to assume a more assertive dimension… hey … one of the best ways to get you out of an inferiority rut is to conceive in your mind a positive image of yourself. This in turn affects such other areas of your life as value orientation, attitude, emotions and even your relationship with other humans. I’ve come to discover that those who look down on you may be doing so out of their own negative self image and emotional insecurity. In fact, they may be scared of you in their minds!

I grew up an emotionally insecure child, (because as I later understood, dad was going through the challenges of a mid life crises that are causing the whole pack a hell of an emotional dilemma… then). I was so shy I couldn’t even stand up for myself among my mates - y’know what that means? Bullies beat me up and deprive me the use of my things… lol. See, ‘twas a bad day for me the day I was beaten up by a primary three boy, even though I was in five… the most senior class in my school then!, being the first set. I couldn’t even muster up enough courage to speak up for myself. But that was how I started out in life!

My confidence base was totally eroded the day playmates told me my head looks “small”… lol… and then, another said I had “thin” limbs- “the lege-lege kinda thing”… I went to my mum for revalidation as a kid then but the little courage it gave evaporated the next morning! I was having my bath with my two other male siblings ( I was the first male in a family of five and the second child) when I discovered my guys had bigger reproductive organs than I do… lol. I thought I wasn’t normal as every other person looks stronger, brighter and better endowed! I felt so small in my own eyes… literally.

LOOK INTO… (BEHOLD) THE PERFECT LAW OF LIBERTY.

These thoughts continued to torment me for so many years until that fateful day when I stopped to take a look at myself in the mirror… quite incidentally though, and I saw one of the most beautiful boys my age then! …So this is me!

I invited a guy over to my place some few months ago, and positioning himself in front of my full length mirror exclaimed, “ase bi mo se ri ree!” (in Yoruba language), meaning “so this is what I look like!”. He had been going about all these years probably never having seen a reflection of himself! I noticed he’s been acting more confident lately… lol.

Many years of interaction with my mirror has transformed me in “the same image from glory to glory” HALLALUYAH! into the virile, handsome man I am today even as by the spirit of the Lord!

PRAISE GOD!

FASHION TIPS FOR MY HOMIES ON THE LORD’S SIDE.

1. You need not need to wear what’s “en’ vogue” or the latest trends. Put on what’s decent, fits and accentuate your beauty.

2. Develop a good sense of combining matching colors when it comes to clothings, jewelleries and make-ups. Use colors that match or blend with the color of your skin. You may need to consult with a professional.

3. Wisdom is getting a few chosen colors each of clothes of different styles, makes and materials and being creative with how you combine these colors to wear. It saves you money and rids your wardrobe of needless fabrics.

4. After dressing up and all made up for that event… (such as going to a friend’s place or the churchplace to make an appearance for Bible study or a prayer meeting), stand In front of your mirror and ask yourself this simple question, “would Jesus be pleased to be my chaperon seeing me dressed this way?”

Compare Matthew 28:19-20… Go ye therefore… and lo "I am with you" always, even unto the end of the world. AMEN. (Paraphrased)…if you can answer in the affirmative… please be my girl!… lolz.

The same with the word. Studying (and doing) the word transforms us from a shapeless, spineless Amoeba into the structure God had always wanted us to be… the image of Papa God. In other words, regular study of the word (with the word as the mould) transforms us into God’s image as cast in the mould by the word! Amen.

REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE.

James 1:23-25 says:

For if any man be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way and straightaway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he not being a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

1Peter 2:9

But you (you and me- the Ecclesia) are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye (we) should shew (show) forth the praises of him who hath called you (us) out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Psalms 50:2

Out of Zion (the Church- the Ecclesia- you and me), the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.

And the people of God say, Amen. SHALOM. God’s Peace!

Prophecy:

Thus saith the Lord; we are in the sixth manifest of the endtime church and the season of the voice of the seventh angel. AMEN.

The sixth manifestation of the endtime church.

Read Rev. 3:6-13.

Each of the seven churches of Asia spoken of in the Book of Revelation represents epochs in the life and times of the present day church ecclesia on earth. SELAH!

The season of the voice of the seventh angel.

Rev. 10:7.

But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

Compare John 19:30, Luke23:44-47, Mark 15: 37-39 & Matthew 27:50-51…

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the church (es). AMEN. Rev. 3:13

@household of david online church@facebook.com/olu-davies bidemi.